People who love each other are always connected by a very special string made of love. This invisible string reminds us that we are never truly alone. Even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. We can easily "tug" on each other's heart with the invisible string.
When you need a "tug" come visit this page and enjoy photos, videos, and updates on our family.
Blogspot is still giving me trouble. I have to upload all the photos to a seperate web photo album and then again to this blog. It takes FOREVER so my posts will be a bit slow. Hopefully they can fix it soon.
Every year we get together with my siblings and their families. Abe's wife and three kids live in Florida so weren't there and Elizabeth was at her Dads.:(
It is tradition to pork out on scones. Not like the kind at the fair. These are deep fried bread that you cut open and fill like a taco. When you are almost filled to the brim you have a few with butter and jelly or honey. My family has been eating these since I can remember.
Katie and Tyler relaxing while Mom and Dad get everything ready to head to Aunt Katie's
for the Christmas Party.
Grandma and Dalton on the piano.
Mike taking a snooze.
The two Katies
Snuggle time
Giggle time
Uncle Jim and Aunt Jen
Can you guess which sport all three of my brothers played? I think wrestling runs in our blood.
This photo makes my head look weird but I don't get many Mom pictures. I'm always behind the camera.
Baby Bump
Tyler wanted to wear matching shirts with Sheldon.
This was taken on my cell phone and isn't the best quality but he sure is adorable. One of my favorite multi-tasking Momma ideas. Sheldon sits in his bumbo, splashes in the water and plays with his toys while I get a nice long uninterrupted shower each morning. When I'm done I suds him up in the bumbo and then turn down the water a bit so I can pick him up and rinse him off. We're both happy and clean and I can use nap time to get other stuff done.
As always, we headed up to White Pass for Winter Break.
Tyler loves to kiss my baby bump. 20 weeks and half way there.
It was Sheldon's very first time playing in the snow. It snowed at our house on December 18th and while we were opening presents on Christmas morning. But never enough to actually go outside and play.
Those baby blues melt my heart every single time.
Chris has been anxiously waiting to get Sheldon on the snowboard. This is his very first time on a snowboard.
Time for some sledding.
And of course, a video of Sheldon's first sled ride.
I love this video and that I caught Sheldon and Chris playing. Unfortunately my camera's battery died right when I was close enough to hear Sheldon's adorable laugh.
Chris thought Sheldon would find this fun. Ummm...not so much! I feel horrible but I'm glad when I have video of him crying. They grow up so fast and then I miss the days when I can solve all their problems with a simple kiss and snuggle. Unfortunately as kids get bigger so do their struggles.
Tyler got a snowboard from Santa a few years ago. Santa knew he wouldn't like the yucky monster pictures on the board so he told him in his letter how to make it custom. Chris and Tyler took the snowboard to a sign making store and had it wrapped. Big surprise...Tyler chose Real Tree Camo. As you can imagine he gets lots of questions on the mountain about it.
We love the breathtaking views at White Pass but more importantly the priceless family memories we share.
Tyler and Chris also had fun snowboarding with several friends.
I'll post more videos after I've downloaded them from Chris' phone.
Every year Tyler writes a letter to Santa. Then Santa sends him a video message.
On Christmas Eve the kids get new pajamas to wear while they wait for Santa. We also make cookies for Santa. Tyler always draws a picture and writes a quick note for Santa. The last two years he has told Santa he can play with the train and animals.
Don't the boys look adorable in their matching pjs? This in front of their tree. They get to decorate it anyway they want to. This year Tyler didn't put any ornaments down low or put on any balls or other breakable ornaments because he was worried about Sheldon's safety. Such a thoughtful brother. I was a bit worried it would be a lot of work keeping Sheldon away from the tree, especially with the train and animals underneath. But he wasn't all that interested. He would rather crawl under the end table and pull on the lamp's cord. Of course that is there year round :P
The kids sleep with Baby Jesus. Here they are anxiously waiting at the top of the stairs at the crack of dawn.
They put Baby Jesus in the manger first thing in the morning.
Santa leaves all the kids' presents under their tree and doesn't wrap them. Each child gets three presents just like Jesus from the three wise men. The gifts are usually one want, one need, and one wear.
Santa also leaves a note
Santa and the elves usually do silly things when they are done having cookies and milk. They must have had fun with the animals from under the tree and the nativity set.
Sheldon loves his new walking toy. We're not surprised since he loves to push his high chair around.
Next we head to the living room where we open presents from each other and family. This is also where Santa leaves presents for Mom, Dad, or the entire family.
Originally this was the tallest tree we have ever had. After a lot of tree drama, I think it ended up being the shortest. LOL!
Sheldon gave Tyler the Safari book he has been asking for.
Santa brought the entire family a GoPro Camera. This is a wearable video camera that can be used when the "boys" go snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, or even hunting. It is nothing but pure testosterone and bad news for me. Because I honestly think it is best I don't actually see every detail of the crazy adventures Chris takes the kids on.
Chris invited all the officers that were on duty over for some homemade Southwest Chicken Chilli and cornbread. Both boys loved all the attention. It probably looked a little bizarre to the neighbors to have so many patrol cars in the cul de sac.
Christmas night we make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing Happy Birthday. This year I made a birthday cake for Jesus while Chris and Tyler played Rodeo on the XBox 360 Kinects.
When we were done singing, Tyler asked for a piece of cake. I told him to go read the story of The Little Red Hen. Later when I gave him a slice he asked, "What about that chicken thing Mom?" I told him I changed my mind since I've gained 13 pounds in the last 20 weeks and I thought I'd better share.
On Christmas Sunday, Sheldon's Tummy Mommy and Tummy Sister went to church with us. Our congregation is very musically talented and has a full orchestra and choir. After the main service Katie and Tyler went to class while the rest of us were naughty and skipped class so we could snuggle on Sheldon. During the last hour Sheldon slept in Annie's arms so I could teach the lesson.
When we got home the kids played and watched The Polar Express while dinner was made. I'm really bummed I didn't get a single picture of the kids together.
We had my personal favorite meal: Buttermilk Brined Porkchops and Butternut Squash. I never thought I'd meet someone who could eat more butternut squash than Tyler and this momma. But I'm pretty sure little Katie did.
After dinner the kids got bundled up in their PJs and we headed out in the suburban with hot cocoa, cookies, and personalized Polar Express tickets.
Chris was the conductor and even punched the tickets.
The kids watched the The Polar Express DVD while we drove to different houses to see Christmas lights.
I'm glad I don't have to pay the electric bill at this house.
Of course we saved the best house for last...ours.
Poor Annie hasn't spent 8 straight hours with us since she was in labor. I hope she had as much fun as we did. We are so blessed to have an open adoption.
